How to Set Wi-Fi Priority on Android: A Step-by-Step Guide

Modern smartphones on Android They automatically connect to available Wi-Fi networks, but they don't always select the optimal access point. If you have multiple routers at home (for example, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), or you frequently move between your office and apartment, your phone may become stuck on a slow network instead of a fast one. In this article, we'll look at all working methods Manual Wi-Fi priority settings on Android – from standard tools to hidden engineering menu functions.

The problem is relevant for devices on Android 10-14, but the solutions vary depending on the manufacturer: Samsung hides the settings in Additional options, Xiaomi offers "Smart Switching" and Google Pixel Requires ADB commands. We've tested each method on real devices and compiled checklists for quick setup.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (for example, ColorOS or Flyme) Manufacturers block manual priority management. In this case, only ADB or third-party applications with root access.

At the end of the article, you'll find a comparison table of methods by complexity and effectiveness, as well as answers to frequently asked questions—for example, why doesn't the phone switch to the 5G network even after manual configuration?

1. Standard method: priority via Wi-Fi settings

Most smartphones are on clean Android (For example, Google Pixel, Nokia, Motorola) allow you to manually set the network connection order. This method does not require superuser rights and works on devices without custom firmware.

Open Settings → Wi-Fi and follow these steps:

• 📱 Tap on the name of the connected network and select Change network (or Additionally on some devices).
• 🔄 Turn on the option Additional options (if there is one) and find the item Network priority or Auto-connection.
• 📊 On some firmware (for example, One UI from Samsung) you need to hold your finger on the network name and drag it to the top of the list.
• 🔒 Don't forget to save your changes—on some devices, you'll need to re-enter your network password.

⚠️ Attention: If your Android version doesn't have the "Network Priority" option, it means the manufacturer has disabled the feature. In this case, proceed to the next methods—for example, setting it up via ADB or engineering menu.

The standard method works reliably, but has a limitation: it does not distinguish between networks with the same SSID (For example, if you have two routers named "MyWiFi_2.4G" and "MyWiFi_5G"). These cases require more in-depth configuration.

2. Setting Priority on Xiaomi (MIUI)

Smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi And POCO on firmware MIUI have a unique function Smart Wi-Fi Switching, which automatically selects the best network. However, it's not always perfect—especially if your 5G router signal is weak. Here's how to manually adjust the priority:

Go to Settings → Wi-Fi → Additional settings → Smart Wi-Fi switching and follow these steps:

• 🔄 Disable the option Automatic switching, if it is enabled.
• 📶 Return to the list of networks, tap on the one you need and select Connect automatically (the checkbox should be checked only on the priority network).
• 🔒 For networks with the same SSID (For example, Xiaomi_5G And Xiaomi_2.4G) rename them in the router settings - this will help MIUI distinguish them.
• 🔄 If your phone is stubbornly stuck on a slow network, try Forget the network (hold your finger on the network name → Delete).

⚠️ Attention: On MIUI 14+ After resetting the network, you may need to reboot your smartphone for the changes to take effect. Also, keep in mind that "smart switching" sometimes ignores manual settings if the priority network's signal is too weak (less than -70 dBm).

For advanced users: in MIUI There is a hidden engineering menu where you can set the priority BSSID (MAC address of the router). To get there, enter in the app Telephone combination:

##4636##

Then go to the tab Wi-Fi information and specify it manually MAC address priority router.

Disable Smart Switching|Rename networks with the same SSID|Delete unnecessary networks from memory|Restart your smartphone after changes-->

3. Wi-Fi Priority on Samsung (One UI)

Devices Samsung on firmware One UI (Galaxy S22, S23, A54, etc.) offer flexible Wi-Fi settings, but the interface differs from standard Android. Here, priority is set via "Intelligent Switching" and manual sorting of networks.

Instructions for One UI 5.0+:

• 📱 Open Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi.
• 🔄 Tap the three dots in the upper right corner and select Additional settings.
• 📶 Disable the option Intelligent switching (if it is active).
• 📊 Return to the list of networks, press and hold your finger on the desired network and drag it to the top of the list (similar to sorting apps on the home screen).

For networks with the same SSID (for example, if you have a mesh system) Samsung offers an additional trick:

1. Connect to the desired network (for example, a 5G router).
2. Remember her MAC address (You can find it in the network information).
3. Change the router settings SSID 2.4G networks by adding a suffix (eg MyWiFi_2.4G → MyWiFi_SLOW).
4. Delete the old network from your phone's memory and reconnect.

⚠️ Attention: On some models (eg, Galaxy S21 With One UI 4.1) Network sorting may reset after a firmware update. In this case, you will have to repeat the setup or use ADB.

4. Advanced Method: Setting Up via ADB

If standard methods do not work (for example, on Google Pixel or custom firmware like LineageOS), will help Android Debug Bridge (ADB)This method requires a computer connection, but gives you full control over Wi-Fi priorities.

You will need:

• 💻 A computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Smartphone with the included USB debugging (Settings → About phone → Build number - tap 7 times, then return to Settings → System → Developer Options).
• 🔌 USB cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux).
2. Check the connection with the command:

   adb devices

   The name of your device should appear.

3. Enter the command to view current networks:

   adb shell cmd wifi list-networks

   Remember networkId priority network.

4. Set the priority with the command (replace X on networkId):

   adb shell cmd wifi set-network-selection-enabled X true

5. Disable automatic connection to other networks:

   adb shell cmd wifi set-network-selection-enabled Y false

   (Where Y — networkId other networks).

Important: ADB settings are reset after rebooting your phone. To make them permanent, you'll need to create a startup script or use Tasker.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect commands ADB may disrupt the operation of the Wi-Fi module. Before experimenting, create a backup copy of the settings via adb backup.

What to do if ADB doesn't see the device?

Make sure USB debugging is enabled and the drivers for your smartphone are installed. On Windows, you may need to manually install the drivers through Device Manager. Also, in Developer Options, make sure the USB connection is set to "File Transfer" (MTP) and not "Charging Only."

5. Wi-Fi Management Apps: Are They Trustworthy?

IN Google Play There are hundreds of apps that promise to "speed up Wi-Fi" or "adjust priorities." Most of them are either useless or require root accessWe tested top utilities and compiled a table of their real-world capabilities:

The only app that really helps without root — WiFi Priority ManagerIt simulates manual network sorting, as in the standard settings, but with a more user-friendly interface. However, on Samsung And Xiaomi It often conflicts with proprietary features like Smart Switching.

For automatic switching based on conditions (for example, "connect to 5G only if speed > 100 Mbps") it is better to use TaskerProfile example:

• 📡 Condition: Status → Net → WiFi Connected + Variable %WIFII = NAME_5G.
• 🔄 Action: Net → WiFi → Connect (specify priority network).

⚠️ Attention: Apps like NetMaster With root access may disrupt Wi-Fi system services. Before using them, please create a backup copy via TWRP or ADB.

6. Engineering menu: hidden Wi-Fi settings

Most Android devices have engineering menu, where you can manually set the priority by BSSID, channel, or standard (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax). This method works even where the default settings are disabled, but requires caution.

How to open the engineering menu:

• 📱 For Mediatek: enter in the dialer ##36446337##.
• 📱 For Qualcomm: enter ##4636## and select Wi-Fi information.
• 📱 For Exynos (Samsung): *#0011#.

On the menu Wi-Fi information Please pay attention to the following parameters:

• 🔄 Wi-Fi Priority - manual sorting by SSID or BSSID.
• 📶 Roaming Aggressiveness — setting the switching sensitivity (value 5 - aggressive switching, 1 - conservative).
• 🔒 Band Preference — range priority (e.g. 5GHz preferred).

⚠️ Attention: Changing the settings in the engineering menu may result in unstable Wi-Fi operation or even loss of connection. Never change the settings TX Power (transmission power) - this may damage the module.

If Wi-Fi stops working after making changes, reset the network settings via Settings → System → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi settings.

7. Mesh systems and roaming: setup features

If you have mesh system (For example, Google Nest WiFi, TP-Link Deco or Asus AiMesh), standard methods for setting priority on Android may not work. The fact is that mesh networks use a single SSID for all nodes, and the phone itself decides which one to connect to.

To force your smartphone to lock onto a specific node (for example, the main router instead of a satellite), do the following:

• 📡 In the mesh system settings, find the option "Band Steering" (band management) and disable it. This will force the network to show individual SSID for 2.4G and 5G.
• 🔄 Rename your 5G network by adding a suffix (e.g. MyWiFi_5G).
• 📱 On your phone, manually connect to the renamed 5G network and mark it as a priority (see section 1).
• 🔒 In your router settings, set minimum signal threshold for roaming (for example, -65 dBm), so that the phone does not switch to weak nodes.

For advanced mesh systems (e.g. Ubiquiti UniFi) can be used binding the client to the access point (Client Device Isolation). In this case, the router will ignore connection requests from the phone to all nodes except the selected one.

⚠️ Attention: Setting up mesh systems requires access to the router's web interface. If you have a provider router (for example, from Rostelecom or Beeline), these options may be blocked.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Wi-Fi priority on Android

🔍 Why doesn't my phone switch to the 5G network even after setting priority?

This is a common issue when a 5G router's signal is weaker than 2.4G. Android prioritizes stability over speed. Solutions:

• Increase the transmission power of your 5G router in its settings (look for the parameter TX Power).
• Reduce the power of your 2.4G router or disable it altogether if you are not using older devices.
• In the engineering menu of the phone, set Band Preference = 5GHz preferred.

⚡ Is it possible to adjust priority without root and ADB?

Yes, but the capabilities are limited. On most smartphones, you can:

• Manually sort networks in Wi-Fi settings (see section 1).
• Disable automatic connection to unnecessary networks.
• Use apps like WiFi Priority Manager (without guarantees).

For complete control (for example, priority over BSSID or channel) is needed ADB or root.

📵 Why were my priority settings reset after an Android update?

This is the standard behavior of the system: during major updates (for example, with Android 12 on 13) many user settings are reset, including Wi-Fi priorities. Solutions:

• Repeat the manual setup (see section 1 or 2).
• Use Tasker to automatically apply settings after reboot.
• On devices with root You can create a script in /system/etc/init.d.

🔄 How can I make my phone switch between networks faster?

Switching speed depends on the parameter Roaming Aggressiveness in the engineering menu. Recommended values:

• 1-2: Conservative shifting (stability over speed).
• 3-4: Balance (suitable for most cases).
• 5: Aggressive switching (the phone will search for a better network even if the signal deteriorates slightly).

Also check the setting Wi-Fi Scan Throttling (V Developer settings) - If it is enabled, disable it to scan networks more frequently.

🛠️ Is it possible to adjust priority on iPhone?

On iOS There are no built-in tools for manually setting Wi-Fi priority. The system always selects a network automatically, prioritizing:

1. Networks with a stronger signal.
2. Networks you last connected to.
3. Networks with Internet access (if the "Auto-connect to networks" option is enabled).

Workarounds:

• Rename the networks on your router (eg. Home_5G And Home_2.4G).
• Disable automatic connection to unnecessary networks in Settings → Wi-Fi → (i) → Auto-connect.
• Use Shortcuts to quickly switch between networks.